I want to buy a "Sprint" iPhone SE (A1723) without a contract. Anyone know how to do this? The SIM free option in Apple Store is the A1662 version, which does not support the bands I need (I spend a lot of time in Europe. In US I only use prepaid SIM-cards.).
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Carrier How can I buy a "Sprint" iPhone SE without contract?
- Thread starter d-b
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electronicsguy
macrumors 6502a
electronicsguy
macrumors 6502a
But do you even have to use the sprint sim or signup for their service? (Which i don't want to do)
electronicsguy
macrumors 6502a
ok. But when I will put another sim in it (maybe abroad), will it even work or it'll expect a Sprint sim in the first place?
tallazzPilipino
macrumors 6502
I brought in my 5s and got my $150 Apple credit to use towards buying the Sprint version outright (which supposedly comes unlocked according to the FAQ on the Apple site). it did already include a SIM which I called Sprint customer service to have activated - did an ESM swap from my T-Mo version 6s+. there would have been a $35 activation fee had Apple done the activation process. but I needed an unlock Sprint version to also work on MetroPCS (T-Mo network) which I haven't yet tried since I have to call in for.
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electronicsguy
macrumors 6502a
but did you have to at all sign up for the sprint plan to initially activate the phone n then switch to at&t? or did the at&t sim work directly? and are you getting LTE?
electronicsguy
macrumors 6502a
Ok got the new iphone se (A1723). For others: it's very simple. Goto Apple store and pick it up "in-store". It'll be unlocked and yes even Verizon "LTE" works. You have to pay the full price.
note: don't order it online thru apple - they force you to sign up for a Sprint plan. The apple store is the only place I know of, where you can buy it it unlocked without a plan.
note: any phone sold by sprint directly or Sprint stores will be locked - don't buy that.
note: don't order it online thru apple - they force you to sign up for a Sprint plan. The apple store is the only place I know of, where you can buy it it unlocked without a plan.
note: any phone sold by sprint directly or Sprint stores will be locked - don't buy that.
Channan
macrumors 68030
I would advise against buying the Sprint iPhone SE if you plan on using it on Verizon. You won't get band 13, which is the only low frequency band Verizon uses. Without band 13, your coverage won't be nearly as good, and good luck getting a signal indoors without standing next to a window.
maflynn
macrumors Broadwell
Channan
macrumors 68030
Some people want international support. If you're on Sprint, AT&T, or T-Mobile, it makes sense to get the Sprint model because it works fine on those networks and you can take it to other countries for the best compatibility. But if you use Verizon or plan on using Verizon, it's probably not a good idea to get that model.
tallazzPilipino
macrumors 6502
no Band 29 for ATT. Sprint and T-Mo use the same model though. Works great for me since those are the two I need to be able to switch between.
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Channan
macrumors 68030
Yep, but with band 12 and 17 support, band 29 isn't really necessary at the moment. It's not like missing band 13 for Verizon.
tallazzPilipino
macrumors 6502
oops! I meant to say, Sprint & T-Mo can use the same Sprint model.. which works out for me. and hopefully I can take advantage of it overseas soon.
electronicsguy
macrumors 6502a
Because I need a phone with TD-LTE support and in the US it's only the sprint version which as those bands.
[doublepost=1462124161][/doublepost]
There's no need for concern. I tested LTE on verizon... 25 mbps 🙂
se1000
macrumors 6502
Channan
macrumors 68030
No doubt it works, but your service indoors is going to be awful and your coverage won't be nearly as good as the other model SE.
It is, but the Sprint SE has all the bands needed for T-Mobile.
tallazzPilipino
macrumors 6502
the -22 model, yes.. but the Sprint model (-23) is the one to get if you want to also use it on T-Mo.
here's a breakdown...
http://www.pcmag.com/news/343091/the-iphone-se-is-not-carrier-agnostic
electronicsguy
macrumors 6502a
[doublepost=1462126553][/doublepost]
not for me. Bars and Voice quality are exactly the same as with my old Verizon iphone 5.
Channan
macrumors 68030
Especially if you want to travel, since T-Mobile offers free international roaming.
Huh?